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November 2008

11/4/2008

Green River Whiskey

According to Rob McCulloch, Green River Whiskey is back! Yes, the Whiskey Without a Headache, the one that Blots Out All Your Troubles, The Official Whiskey of the U.S. Naval Hospital, is back in production!

Legend has it that distiller J.W. McCulloch, one of the partners in the Forest Queen mine, bought his share from Lou for twenty barrels of the stuff. Can't wait for a belt!

-CJ

11/23/2008

Van Cise Project

Things are heating up for the race to name Denver's new Justice Center and jail. Mayor Hickenlooper has now officially called for proposals, and petitions are being circulated. The decision-making process gets underway Dec. 10. There is, apparently, some stiff competition from a few other worthy Coloradans who shall remain nameless.

For our part, hard-copy petitions are now being circluated in Denver by the Van Cise family and Larry Bohning, and Scott, Jeff and I are working on a couple of videos for YouTube. We may also get the Mayor and City Council to have a look.

Ever seen some old movie where some sweet young things lures a Senator or other big shot up to her room  only to be surprised in flagrante by a snoopy photographer? Just Hollywood's overactive imagination? Not so...

According to 1916 articles in the New York Times, Buda, posing as a convent girl from a respectable family induced a wealthy Chicago businessman to travel with her to New York. Alone in a hotel room, three men, including French, burst in, and threatened to bust Edward R. West of the C.D. Gregg Tea & Coffee Company for violating the Mann Act. Godman finished the play by pleading hysterically with West to bribe the men.

The Mann Act, or United States White-Slave Traffic Act, was introduced in 1910 after the U.S. attorney in Chicago claimed that young European girls were being abducted and brought to the States to work in Chicago brothels. The Act criminalized transport of "any woman or girl for the purpose of prostitution or debauchery . . . or for any other immoral purpose". The Act turned out to be a useful tool in the extortionist's arsenal.

Godman pled guilty, but jumped bail, only to show up a few years later trying to fence the Glemby Jewels.

-CJ

November 2008

Copyright Notice: Original material copyright 2003-12 Scott Johnson and Craig Johnson. Other copyrights may apply to materials found herein. Our primary goal is to reintroduce the Blonger Bros. to the lexicon of the Wild West. We therefore encourage the use of our research, provided due credit is given.